To reach the midway point of the season with 20 points and at a reasonable distance from the relegation zone is more than most expected of Burnley in their first Premier League campaign for 33 years. The manager, Owen Coyle, is still keen to prove any doubters wrong, however, starting with improved away form. A vulnerable Everton could be the start.

Burnley sit one place and one point above Everton ahead of tonight's game and Coyle is full of admiration for his fellow Scotsman, David Moyes. "Moyes is in the top bracket of managers worldwide," Coyle said. "He's somebody I've got a lot of time for. When you talk of his record, he's moved that football club on year in, year out and for any young manager, that's the perfect role model to aspire to."

Burnley have won 19 of their 20 points this season at Turf Moor – scalps that have included back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Everton at the beginning of the season and, more recently, points from Arsenal and Aston Villa.

While Coyle is keen to repeat the kind of display that earned a 3-3 draw at Manchester City last month, he is realistic about his team's chances at Goodison Park. "There's no doubt we'll have to be at our very best. It's a good side, albeit that they're not in the position they'd like to be. You have to look further than that and see the injuries they've had has played a big part in that. If we get to a maximum, we can win points – we've shown that."

David Nugent is keen to play a role – the Liverpudlian scored with a leaping header in the second half here to cancel out the stunning free-kick of Bolton's Matthew Taylor. Nugent has never played at Goodison Park, even for his parent club, Portsmouth. On loan at Burnley since September, Nugent is keen to captalise on his first start with the club since the 3-2 defeat at Blackburn on 18 October.

"It's always frustrating when you're not playing but being on the pitch is something that I wasn't getting at Portsmouth," he said. "Hopefully the gaffer's seen that I've made an impact and scored a goal. I scored exactly the same goal in training [Friday] so it's a bit strange."

Coyle, who may have regular defensive partners Stephen Caldwell and Clarke Carlisle back from injury for tonight's game, said Nugent had not done his chances of selection any harm. Nugent hopes he has done enough not to disappoint the 25 family members who will attend the game.

"I've never played at Goodison before," Nugent said. "I might be an Evertonian, but I'm playing for Burnley and I'd like to put one over them." With his loan nearing an end, Nugent wants to stay at Turf Moor. "If someone else wants to come in, well that's football. But I'm happy here and I really would like to stay."

Bolton, who have conceded a goal in every league game this season, have an extra day to prepare for the visit of Hull when they should have Fabrice Muamba back from suspension.